Leave of Absence Attorney in Bakersfield
When your employer denies your medical leave, retaliates, or refuses to accommodate your needs, your rights are being violated. Our Bakersfield leave of absence attorneys protect you under FMLA, CFRA, and FEHA—ensuring you receive the time, support, and job protection the law guarantees.
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Protect Your Job When Life Happens:
Life is unpredictable. A sudden illness, a family emergency, or the joyous arrival of a new child can require you to step away from work. In these critical moments, your focus should be on your health and your family, not on worrying about whether you'll have a job to return to. California has some of the most generous leave laws in the nation, designed to protect employees who need to take time off for legitimate reasons.
Unfortunately, many employers in Bakersfield are either unaware of their legal obligations or choose to ignore them. They may illegally deny your leave request, pressure you to return to work early, or retaliate against you by demoting or even firing you. This is not just unfair; it is illegal.
At Marquee Advocacy Group, we are here to be your shield. Our dedicated Leave of Absence Attorneys in Bakersfield understand the complex web of state and federal laws that protect your right to take job-protected leave. If your employer has violated your rights, we will fight to hold them accountable and ensure you are treated with the dignity and respect you deserve. You should never have to choose between your job and your family's well-being.
YOU DON’T PAY UNLESS WE WIN
What is a "Protected Leave of Absence"?
A protected leave of absence is a legally guaranteed period of time off from work for specific qualifying reasons. During this leave, your employer is required to hold your job—or a comparable one—for you until you return. California and federal laws provide a robust safety net for employees, but navigating them can be incredibly complex because multiple laws often overlap. Understanding which laws apply to you is the first step in protecting your rights.
Here are the most common types of protected leave available to Bakersfield employees:
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The CFRA grants eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for childbirth, family care, or serious health conditions. It applies to employers with five or more employees, offering broader protections than federal law.
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)
California’s PDL provides up to four months of job-protected leave for employees disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This leave specifically covers the period in which you are medically unable to work.
Paid Sick Leave
Under California’s Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act, employers must provide at least 40 hours or five days of paid sick leave per year. You may use this time to care for yourself or a family member, and employers are prohibited from retaliating against you for using it.
Other Protected Leaves
California also offers additional protected leaves, including military leave, voting leave, leave for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, jury duty leave, and paid leave for organ and bone marrow donation. Because these laws often overlap and interact, understanding your complete rights is essential.
Because these laws are so complex and often interact with one another, it is crucial to understand your full rights.
About Marquee Advocacy Group
At Marquee Advocacy Group, we believe employees are the backbone of Bakersfield’s economy. From farmworkers and oilfield crews to nurses, teachers, and office professionals, Kern County thrives because of its workforce. Yet too often, these workers are underpaid, overworked, or mistreated.
Our firm was built to level the playing field. As a premier Bakersfield labor law firm, we focus exclusively on employee representation—not employers. We’ve built a reputation for fighting aggressively in cases such as:
Get Your Free ConsultationWrongful Termination
Being fired for reasons that violate the law—such as discrimination, retaliation, or refusing to participate in illegal activities. We help employees who were let go unfairly get compensation, lost wages, and justice.
Workplace Discrimination
Employees cannot be treated differently because of their age, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, pregnancy, or other protected characteristics. Discrimination can include unfair treatment, denied promotions, reduced hours, or being replaced due to bias.
Workplace Harassment & Hostile Work Environments
Harassment can be verbal, physical, or sexual. It includes offensive jokes, unwanted touching, intimidation, or any behavior that creates a toxic or unsafe environment. We help victims hold employers accountable for failing to stop harassment.
Workplace Retaliation
It is illegal for employers to punish employees for reporting wrongdoing, filing complaints, requesting accommodations, or standing up for their legal rights. Retaliation can include termination, demotion, cut hours, threats, or negative performance reviews.
Unpaid Wages and Overtime
Many workers don’t receive the pay they are legally owed. This includes unpaid overtime, minimum wage violations, missed meal/rest breaks, withheld commissions, or off-the-clock work. We fight to recover every dollar employees deserve.
Employee Misclassification
Some employers wrongly label workers as “independent contractors” or “salaried exempt employees” to avoid paying overtime, benefits, or providing legal protections. We help employees challenge misclassification and recover unpaid wages and benefits.
Leave of Absence Violations
Workers are legally entitled to certain leaves—such as family leave, medical leave, pregnancy leave, and disability leave. Employers cannot deny these leaves, cut hours, demote employees, or fire them for taking time off legally.
Breach of Employment Contracts
If an employer breaks a written, verbal, or implied agreement—whether related to pay, job duties, termination terms, or benefits—the employee may have a legal claim. We help enforce contractual rights and seek compensation.
Whistleblower Protection
Employees who report unsafe working conditions, fraud, wage theft, or illegal activity are protected by law. Employers cannot fire or punish whistleblowers. We help ensure their rights are protected and pursue damages when retaliation occurs.
Why Employees Across Bakersfield Trust Us?
The truth is, many workers hesitate to contact an attorney because they fear retaliation, costs, or the complexity of the legal system. But at Marquee Advocacy Group, we make the process simple, accessible, and risk-free.
No Win, No Money Promise
You pay nothing unless we win your case. Our contingency model ensures every worker—no matter their financial situation—gets fair access to justice.
Local Experience
Our team understands Bakersfield’s industries firsthand, from agriculture and oil to healthcare and education. We know the challenges local workers face every day.
Focused on Employment Law
We don’t handle every type of case—only workplace law. This exclusive focus allows us to deliver stronger strategies and better results for employees.
When you need an employment lawyer in Bakersfield, you deserve someone who understands not only the law but also the industries and pressures unique to Kern County.
YOU DON’T PAY UNLESS WE WIN
The Alarming Reality: Why You Need Our Law Firm
The need for protected leave is more pressing than ever, and the data shows that many employers are failing their employees. This creates a critical need for experienced legal representation.
- Leave Requests are Soaring: A recent SHRM study found that employee leave requests are on the rise. More than half of employers (57%) reported an increase in employees requesting leave in 2024, driven by the need to recover from illness (57%), manage mental health challenges (47%), and care for aging parents (37%), and taking parental leave (34%). This increase puts more pressure on employers and creates more opportunities for illegal denials and retaliation.
- Paid Leave is a Deciding Factor in Recruitment: In a competitive job market, leave policies matter. In 2023, AbsenceSoft conducted a survey that found that a staggering 42% of employees stated they would not even apply for a job that doesn't offer paid leave, and 86% said a company's leave policies are a significant factor in their decision to accept a job. This shows that good leave policies are not just a legal requirement but a business imperative—yet many companies still fall short.
- Confusion and Lack of Support are Rampant: The same study found that confusing and unclear leave processes were a top driver of poor employee experiences. When employees feel unsupported and are given incorrect information, it leads to stress, disputes, and potential legal violations.
These statistics paint a clear picture: while leave is essential, the process is often broken. Our law firm exists to stand in that gap. We ensure that when your employer gets it wrong, you have a powerful advocate to make it right.
Recent Victories
From executives to construction workers, we fight for people who have been wronged. Below is a selection of our recent results.
Disability Discrimination
Wage & Hour Class Action
Retaliation - Leave
Gender Discrimination
Association - With Disabled Family Member
Racial Discrimination
Wage & Hour Class Action
Sexual Harassment
* Past results don't guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique.
Real Stories. Real Results.
Over $100 Million recovered for our clients. Here is what they have to say about working with us.
D. Valenzuela
Employment Law Client
Phil Leggett
Employment Law Client
Shane Steiner
Employment Law Client
Jeff Phillips
Employment Law Client
YOU DON'T PAY UNLESS WE WIN
Why You Need a Leave of Absence Lawyer
Many employees trust that their HR department will guide them correctly through the leave process. While some HR professionals are knowledgeable, many are inadequately trained in the complexities of California’s overlapping leave laws. Their primary duty is to protect the company, not to ensure you receive the maximum leave you are entitled to.
Hiring a dedicated Leave of Absence Attorney can protect you from illegal retaliation by your employer if your employer fires, demotes, harasses, or otherwise punishes you for requesting or taking a protected leave.
These realities make the role of an employment attorney in Bakersfield crucial. We fight to hold employers accountable across every industry.
YOU DON’T PAY UNLESS WE WIN
The Marquee Method: No Win, No Money
At Marquee Advocacy Group, we firmly believe that your ability to fight for your rights should never be limited by your financial situation. That’s why we founded our practice on the No Win, No Money Marquee Method, which removes all financial risk from hiring an expert attorney.
You Pay Nothing Upfront
We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay a single dollar in retainers or hourly fees to get started. We invest our own resources to build and pursue your case.
We Only Get Paid If You Win
Our legal fee is entirely contingent on a successful outcome. We are paid a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation we secure for you through a settlement or a court victory.
No Win, No Money—A Guarantee
If, for any reason, we do not win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing for the time and effort we have invested. Our interests are directly aligned with yours: to achieve the best possible result for you.
YOU DON’T PAY UNLESS WE WIN
Related Services in Bakersfield
Wrongful Termination Lawyer in Bakersfield
Workplace Harassment Lawyer in Bakersfield
Workplace Retaliation Lawyer in Bakersfield
Unpaid Wages Lawyer in Bakersfield
Employee Misclassification Lawyer in Bakersfield
Leave of Absence Attorney in Bakersfield
Breach of Employment Contract Lawyer in Bakersfield
Whistleblower Protection Lawyer in Bakersfield
Frequently Asked Questions
While they are similar, the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) is generally more protective for Bakersfield employees. The main differences are:
- Employer Size: CFRA applies to employers with just 5 or more employees, while FMLA applies to those with 50 or more.
- Family Members: CFRA allows you to take leave to care for a wider range of family members, including grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings, which FMLA does not cover.
- Pregnancy: FMLA leave can be used for your own pregnancy-related disability. CFRA does not cover pregnancy disability itself, which is covered by California's PDL.
Your Job is Your Livelihood. Let Us Protect It.
When you are facing a medical crisis or a major family event, the peace of mind that comes with knowing your job is safe is invaluable. If your employer has denied you that peace by violating your right to take leave, it’s time to fight back.
You don't have to navigate this confusing and stressful process alone. Contact Marquee Advocacy Group today for a free and completely confidential consultation with an experienced Bakersfield Leave of Absence Attorney. Let us listen to your story, explain your rights, and lay out a clear path forward. Your health, your family, and your career are too important to leave to chance. Take the first step toward justice today.
YOU DON’T PAY UNLESS WE WIN